LIBRARY OF.OINGRESS. 



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Historical Sketch 



OF THE 



SECOND CHURCH IN BOSTON. 



COMPILEiyBY 

GEORGE h/eAGER. 






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BOSTON : 
PRESS OF ROBINSON PRINTING COMPANY, 
1894. 



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COPYRIGHT, 1S94, 
BY GEORGE H. EAGER. 



TO THE 

HONORABLE FREDERIC W. LINCOLN, 

WHOSE UNSWERVING LOYALTY, UNDOUBTING FAITH AND 

UNCEASING LABOR HAVE CONTRIBUTED SO LARGELY 

NOT ONLY TO THE PRESENT PROSPERITY OF 

THE SECOND CHURCH IN BOSTON, 

BUT TO ITS PRESERVATION DURING THE LAST HALF CENTURY, 

THESE RECORDS ARE AFFECTIONATELY 

DEDICATED. 



PREFACE. 



To such of the friends of the writer as 
may chance to read this little book, he desires 
to say, its materials were collected and arranged 
in manuscript form several years ago merely for 
the information of his own family and to an- 
swer the casual inquiries of others, but with no 
thought of its ever being printed. When, how- 
ever, it was submitted to a few friends for their 
critical judgment of its statements, they advised 
its publication upon the ground that a need ex- 
isted for such information as it contained. After 
considerable hesitation he has consented to pub- 
lish it in the hope that, notwithstanding its 
imperfections, it may in some degree meet that 
need and thereby prove the wisdom of his 
advisors. 



Preface. 

Materials for its compilation have been 
gleaned from various sources, both printed and 
oral. Dr. Robbins's History of the Second 
Church having been draw^n upon for much val- 
uable information. 

In a leisure half hour, it is hoped, one 
may here obtain a passably correal impression 
of the life of one of Boston's oldest and most 
venerable institutions, nowr nearly tw^o hundred 
and fifty years old. 

The consecrated labors w^hich have been 
bestowed and the personal sacrifices w^hich have 
been made on its behalf in times past, should 
inspire those of the present day to do w^hatever 
is required of them to strengthen, sustain and 
transmit to future generations this ancient and 
time-honored church. 



HISTORICAL SKETCH 

OF 

THE SECOND CHURCH IN BOSTON. 

Near the main portal of the gothic brown- 
stone church in Copley Square, Boylston Street, 
is inscribed this legend: "The Second Church 
in Boston, founded in 1649." 

Of the thousands who pass this church 
daily, native or stranger, how few comprehend 
the significance of this record ! The history of 
the Second Church is closely identified with that 
of Boston. Its long line of ministers includes 
many illustrious names which are prominent, not 
only in the history of Boston, but also of New 
England. 

The origin of the Second Church was in 
the nature of a branch, or off-shoot from the 
First Church, which had been formed about 



lo Its Environment, 

nineteen years before, and of which John Cot- 
ton, "the most esteemed of all the Puritan 
ministers of England," was pastor. The motive 
for its formation was the need of more extended 
church privileges and the desire on the part of 
its founders to have a meeting-house located in 
the northerly part of the town, in the midst of 
its growth at that early period of its history. 

At that time, Boston was the most flourish- 
ing town in the colony, but there were also 
thriving settlements, with churches at Salem, 
Charlestown, Dorchester, Watertown and many 
other places in the vicinity. Harvard College 
was an established seat of learning ; and John 
Winthrop's career as governor of the Massachu- 
setts Bay (under Charles I. of England) had 
just closed, by his death in 1649. With this 
environment in mind, the reader will be able 
more clearly to comprehend the conditions under 
which the life of the Second Church began. 

The first meeting-house was built of wood 
and was situated at the head of North Square. 
But little is known of its design or appearance. 



Its Founders : Samuel Mather. ii 

but from old records it is inferred that some of 
its pews had private doors opening direcftly from 
the outside. 

It was completed in 1650, and the first re- 
corded preaching was on June 5th of that year, 
by Samuel Mather. 

On that day a sacred covenant was solemnly 
assented to and signed by the seven original 
-members, binding them together ''as a congre- 
gation and Church of Christ * * in mutual 
love and of special watchfulness over one an- 
other." The names of the first seven members 
were as follows, viz. : Michael Powell, James 
Ashwood, Christopher Gibson, John Phillips, 
George Davis, Michael Wills and John Farnham. 
Samuel Mather was son of Richard Mather, 
minister of the Dorchester Church. Although 
born in England he was educated at Harvard 
College, and was a member of the second class 
which graduated from that institution. The new 
society invited him to become their minister, but 
could only prevail upon him to remain with 
them a few months, during which time he greatly 



12 JMichael Pozvell., Joh^t Alayo. 

endeared himself to them. He afterwards re- 
turned to England and resided there. 

For several years after this short ministry, 
public worship was condudled under the leader- 
ship of Michael Powell, layman, one of the 
seven founders of the church. Many members 
of the society were desirous to make him their 
spiritual leader, and a movement was made on 
their part to ordain him as Teacher, but in this 
they were prevented by the civil authorities, 
who would not permit an unlearned person to 
assume the sacred function of preaching the word 
of God. 

The first minister to be settled over the new 
church was John Mayo, who was ordained on 
November 9, 1655. He held the pastoral office 
for nearly twenty years ; during the latter half 
of this period he had the assistance of Increase 
Mather, who ultimately became his successor. 

In 1662, Mr. Mayo having become infirm, 
was, with his own consent, relieved from the 
duty of preaching, and in the following year he 
retired from active work altogether and removed 



Increase Mather. 13 



to Barnstable County, where he passed the re- 
mainder of his Hfe. He resigned his pastorate 
in 1675; died in May, 1676, and was buried in 
Yarmouth, Mass. The church proved its love 
and respect for him by freely contributing to 
his support up to the end of his life. 

Increase Mather was the youngest son of 
Richard Mather, pastor of the church in Dor- 
chester, Mass., and was born there June 21, 
1639. ^^ entered Harvard College at the early 
age of twelve, graduated in 1656, and began 
preaching before he was nineteen years of ao-e. 
In July, 1657, he sailed for England and 
remained abroad about four years, one of which 
he spent in study at Trinity College, Dublin, 
where in 1658 he received his second degree. 
During the next three years he preached before 
many congregations and received from several 
of them tempting offers of settlement, all of 
which he declined, being unwilling to conform 
to the rules of the Established Church. 

In September, 1661, he returned to Amer- 
ica, and during the following winter, preached 



14 Increase Mather : The Church Burned. 

alternately at Dorchester and the Second Church. 
He had many calls for settlement, but the one 
made by the Second Church was ultimately ac- 
cepted, and on May 37, 1664, he was formally 
ordained as Teacher, the venerable Mr. Mayo 
still holding the office of Pastor ; and of them it 
was said that these two worked together in "love 
and peace for the space of eleven years." 

Upon Mr. Mayo's retirement, Mr. Mather 
took up the work of the church with all the 
energy and fervor of his devout and deeply 
consecrated nature, and it may be truthfully 
said, that at this time the real life of the Second 
Church, — as a power in this community, — began. 

In the great fire which occurred in Boston 
on November 37, 1676, the meeting-house was 
destroyed, but with commendable enterprise and 
zeal on the part of the people it was rebuilt 
upon the original sight in the following year. 

Increase Mather, D.D., was pastor of this 
church for a period of sixty years, during which 
time he raised it to great distinction and pros- 
perity, and so maintained it. He also exerted 



Mission to England : Cotton Alatke?'. 15 

a very marked influence on the civil and eccle- 
siastical affairs of New England. 

In 1688 he was sent to England on an 
arduous and important mission to King Charles 
II. It was to induce that ruler to mitigate the 
wrongs and disabilities, — both civil and relig- 
ious, — under which the people of the Massa- 
chusetts colony were suffering. In this mission 
he was eminently successful. 

He was president of Harvard College from 
1685 to 1701, and had the distinguished honor 
of being the recipient of her first degree of 
Doctor of Divinity, conferred in 1692. 

He died August 23, 1723, and was buried 
in Copp's Hill Burying Ground. 

Cotton Mather, — son of Increase and grand- 
son of the Rev. John Cotton, — was born at 
Boston, Mass., February 12, 1663. He entered 
Hai-vard College at the age of twelve and grad- 
uated in 1678. 

In early life he was distinguished for piety 
and philanthropy. He was ordained as col- 
league to his father, May 13, 1684. 



i6 Cotton Mather : Joshua Gee. 



A pastor of great zeal and devotion, he was 
also deeply interested and adlive in civil affairs. 

For his adlions and writings in conne6lion 
with the witchcraft delusions of that time, he 
has been severely blamed ; his later biographers, 
however, find in a careful study of his charac- 
ter many virtues, some of which were in his 
time rare ; these compensate in a large degree 
for the frailties and faults of his nature. His 
ministry over this parish lasted forty-four years, 
during which time the Second Church enjoyed 
uninterrupted prosperity. The University of 
Glasgow conferred upon him the degree of 
Doctor of Divinity in 1710 and that of Fel- 
low of the Royal Society in 1713. He died 
February 13, 1728, and was buried with his 
fathers in Copp's Hill Burying Ground. 

Joshua Gee was ordained as colleague to 
Dr. Cotton Mather, December 18, 1723. He 
was born in Boston in 1698, his parents being 
members of the Second Church. He graduated 
at Harvard College in 171 7. He was a man of 
strong intellect, a high Calvinist in dodlrine. 



Samuel Mather, 1 7 

and was held in great esteem by his parishion- 
ers. He was pastor of the Second Church for 
a period of twenty-five years. 

Samuel Mather, — son of Cotton, — was born 
in Boston, October 30, 1706, graduated at Har- 
vard College 1723, and was ordained as col- 
league of Joshua Gee, June 21, 1732. He re- 
mained in this capacity nine years, during which 
time serious dissensions arose between a large 
portion of the people and Mr. Mather, which 
ultimately resulted in his dismissal, December 
21, 1741. 

Mr. Mather's removal caused a considerable 
portion of the congregation to secede from this 
church, and to eredl another for themselves at 
the corner of Hanover and North Bennett Streets, 
where, with Mr. Mather as their minister, they 
maintained worship until his death, which oc- 
curred June 27, 1785' 

From the time of Mr. Mather's dismissal, 
Mr. Gee continued as sole pastor of the Second 
Church until September 3, 1747, when Samuel 
Checkley was ordained as his assistant, this step 



1 8 Sa77iuel Checkley : John Lathrop. 

being necessitated by the declining health of Mr. 
Gee. His death occurred May 22, 1748. 

Samuel Checkley, ordained as above stated, 
was the second colleague of Mr. Gee. He was 
minister of this church twenty-one years, and 
died March 19, 1768. 

In 1760, the records show, that this society 
voted, " it was reasonable that the brethren of 
the congregation should unite wnth them in 
managing the temporal affairs of the society," 
thus showing, for that early time, a remarkable 
degree of liberality. 

John Lathrop was ordained May 18, 1768. 
He was a wise and faithful pastor, of sound 
judgment and liberal views, and the influence of 
his life and labors was of great and permanent 
benefit to the community. 

For several months prior to the battles of 
Lexington and Concord, signs of the coming 
strife had caused many Boston families to seek 
temporary homes in places more or less remote 
from the tow^n ; but after that eventful day which 
marked the beginning of the war and changed 



Siege of Boston. 19 

Boston into a British military camp, large num- 
bers of the patriotic inhabitants went out, in 
order that they might be with congenial friends 
and escape, — not only the privations of a pro- 
tracted siege but, — the indignities and insults of 
an hostile soldiery. These events caused the 
breaking up and dispersion of nearly all the 
church congregations. 

During the following winter many of the 
meeting-houses suffered depredation at the hands 
of Tories and British soldiers. Several were 
occupied as barracks ; the Old South was turned 
into a riding-schocl ; the steeple of the West 
Church was pulled down because it had been 
used as a signal tower to give intelligence to 
the provincial army; the Second Church, which 
had stood for more than a hundred years was, 
*'by a number of evil-minded men of the King's 
party," demolished and used for fire-wood. 

It is difficult, at this time, to assign any 
sufficient motive which should have induced the 
British to mutilate one meeting-house and spare 
another. Their natural dislike, — even detesta- 



20 Union with the ^''New JBrick'^ Society. 

tion, — of the Puritans would not in itself account 
for their seeming discrimination, as several of 
the Puritan meeting-houses were not injured. 

That King's Chapel and the "New Brick" 
escaped injury, may perhaps be accounted for 
from the fac^ that in the former the British mil- 
itary and naval officers worshiped, and that the 
latter numbered as one of its parishioners Gov- 
ernor Thomas Hutchinson. 

After the evacuation of Boston, when the 
congregation of the Second Church returned to 
their homes, they found in the place of their 
beloved sanctuary a heap of ruins. 

In their disappointment and distress they 
were very kindly invited, — both minister and 
people, — to worship with the society of the 
New Brick Church, on Hanover Street. 

This society had also suffered depletion 
during the siege of Boston, and its minister. 
Dr. Pemberton, by reason of great infirmity, 
had relinquished the adlive duties of pastor. 
These Dr. Lathrop assumed by common consent 
on March 31, 1769, and the two societies wor- 



New Brick Church. 



21 



shipped together in perfe6l harmony for about 
three years, and on June 27, 1779, they were 
formally united in one, at the time adopting 
the name of the older, the Second Church in 
Boston. 




NEW BRICK CHURCH, BUILT IN 1720-21. 

To enable the reader to understand the true 
line of succession or continuity of the Second 
Church, it is necessary to go back and note 
briefly the organization and early history of the 



22 Nexv No7'th Church : Peter Thacher. 

New Brick and one other well known Boston 
church of the early times. 

In 1 714? the Second Church, being large 
and prosperous, a part of the congregation sep- 
arated from the parent society and built for 
itself a new meeting-house at the corner of 
Hanover and Clark Streets. This was called 
the ''New North," and the old meeting-house 
in North Square (the Second Church) was after- 
wards, by way of distincSlion, called the "Old 
North." Mr. John Webb was the first min- 
ister to be settled over the new parish ; Dr. 
Increase Mather and his son Cotton assisted at 
his ordination. 

In 1 7 19, a movement was started on the 
part of an influential fa6lion of the New North 
society to settle Mr. Peter Thacher, pastor of the 
church in Weymouth, as colleague to Mr. Webb. 

This movement was met by strong opposi- 
tion on the part of other members of the society ; 
not because of any dislike or other objection to 
Mr. Thacher as a man or preacher, but because 
it was deemed unwise and as wanting in chris- 



Netv Brick Church. 23 

tian kindness and brotherly love towards a neigh- 
boring parish to call away its minister. The 
parties for and against the project were about 
evenly divided, and the contest grew very heated, 
even rancorous, and seriously menaced the wel- 
fare of the society, as well as the temporary 
peace of that neighborhood. In a vote taken 
on the question, it was decided by a bare ma- 
jority, to settle Mr. Thacher. Thereupon the 
party of the opposition withdrew from the church 
and soon afterward purchased land on the east 
side of Hanover Street, — between Richmond and 
Prince Streets, — and proceeded to ere6l thereon 
a fine church edifice, known as the "New 
Brick," before mentioned as the one with which 
the Second Church united in 1779. The New 
Brick church was dedicated on May 10, 1721. 
Dr. Cotton Mather joreached the dedication ser- 
mon, in which he said, "There is not in all 
the land a more beautiful house built for the 
worship of God than this." William Waldron 
of Portsmouth, N. H., was the first minister, 
being called to that oflSce before he was twenty- 



24 Nexv Brick or Cockerel Church. 

four years of age. He was ordained September 
26, 1 72 1, being the last candidate to receive 
ordination at the hands of Dr. Increase Mather, 
then in his eighty-third year. Succeeding min- 
isters of this church were, William Wellsteed, 
1727; Ellis Gray; and Ebeneezer Pemberton, 
installed March 6, i754' 

By the above narration it will be seen that 
the society of the New Brick was a lineal de- 
scendent of the Second Church, and the union 
of the two proved to be a most congenial and 
fortunate event. 

Dr. Lathrop's ministry covered a period of 
fifty years, and was a most salutary and success- 
ful one. To him and his kindly christian efforts 
is ascribed the healing of the breach between 
the two Hanover Street societies, occasioned by 
the settlement of Mr. Thacher, and which had 
rankled for so many years. 

Dr. Lathrop died January 14, 1S16, greatly 
beloved and honored. 

The New Brick Church was known by the 
somewhat fanciful but popular appellation of the 



Early Settlers of Boston. 25 



t' Cockerel Church," from the faft that it bore 
at the tip of its tall steeple a weather-vane made 
in the semblance of a cock with golden plumage. 
The same emblem did duty on the steeple of 
the successor of the New Brick, which was built 
on its site in 1844. 

This identical cock is still in service as 
a weather-vane on the spire of the Shepard 
Memorial Church in Cambridge. With but 
slight intermissions of duty, from these lofty 
perches, this famous bird has faced the winds 
of this locality, — breasting the storm or bask- 
ing in the sunshine, — for nearly two hundred 
years. 

Was the Second Church always Unitarian.? 
This question has often been asked, and it 
seems proper to meet it at this place with a few 
words in explanation. 

The early settlers of Boston, as also of New 
England, were Puritans; Dissenters or Separa- 
tists from the Established Church of England, 
who came here that they might enjoy their relig- 
ious beliefs, free from the disabilities and restric- 



26 Early Pur it mi Churches. 

tions which surrounded them in their native land. 
Under these conditions, it was but natural that 
the laws and customs which they instituted should 
take on much of that severity and strictness 
which marked their own chara6ler and which 
they deemed necessary in order to secure indi- 
vidual re<5litude and the establishment here of a 
religious commonwealth. Hence, all the early 
churches of New England were of the Puritan 
type. Church attendance and support were con- 
sidered to be the duty of every citizen, and any 
one who neglected this duty was looked upon 
with disfavor, and not infrequently became the 
subject of contempt, — of persecution even. The 
doctrines held m these churches were Calvinistic, 
therefore stern and harsh. These were persist- 
ently preached, in long sermons on Sundays and 
in le(5lures through the week ; and were accom- 
panied by long prayers for every conceivable 
want of mankind, — temporal no less than spirit- 
ual. The Second Church was no exception to 
this rule, especially under the ministrations of 
the Mathers and their immediate successors. 



Change from Orthodox to Unitarian. 27 



The change in religious beliefs from that 
time to the present has been brought about by 
the natural process of evolution; the gradual 
unfolding being undiscernable except at certain 
crises, the most notable of which was in the 
early part of the present century, when many 
of the Puritan societies, — under what is known 
as the Unitarian controversy,— threw off the old 
Calvinistic doarines and titles, and declared 
themselves Unitarian, as distinguished from 
Trinitarian. 

Of these, the Second Church was one. Its 
people, under the gentler teachings and minis- 
trations of Dr. John Lathrop, were prepared to 
experience the change without disturbance. Of 
this good man and pastor. Dr. Robbins, in his 
History of the Second Church, said: "His doc- 
trinal views underwent a gradual and material 
chang-e towards the close of the last century. 
At the commencement of his ministry, his con- 
fession of faith was in conformity to the Calvin- 
istic sentiments embraced by the Second Church ; 
but as his life advanced, he became less and less 



28 Henry Ware., Jr. 

''Orthodox," and, — without the spirit of secta- 
rianism, which was contrary to his nature, — 
lent his influence to the ' liberal ' side." 

It may, therefore, be said, that at this point 
in the history of the Second Church the change 
in denomination from "Orthodox" to "Unita- 
rian " took place. 

A model of the New Brick Church, made 
of its original wood, is still preserved in the 
church parlor on Boylston Street. Several cups 
and flagons, forming a part of the communion 
plate now in use by the Second Church, were 
gifts to the New Brick from some of its mem- 
bers prior to its union with the Second Church. 

Henry Ware, Jr., was ordained pastor Jan- 
uary I, 1S17. 

Under his ministry, which lasted over twelve 
years, this church experienced " another golden 
age like that which it had enjoyed under the 
first of the Mathers." 

The cause of peace, of freedom, of tem- 
perance, of education and of charity, found in 
him an earnest advocate and diligent worker ; 



Ral-ph Waldo Emerson. 29 

so much indeed of his strength did he give to 
these, in addition to that bestowed on his ardu- 
ous parochial duties, that his health failed and 
he was obliged to offer his resignation, which, 
at the close of another year of partial relaxation, 
was reluctantly assented to by his people, Sep- 
tember 36, 1830. 

He afterwards accepted a professorship in 
Harvard University — that of "Pulpit Eloquence 
and the Pastoral Care" in the Divinity School, — 
which he retained for twelve years. 

His name is the synonym for saintliness 
wherever known. He was born in Hingham, 
Mass., April 21, 1794, and died at Framingham, 
Mass., September 33, 1843. 

Ralph Waldo Emerson was ordained as col- 
league to Mr. Ware on March 11, 1839. 

The short time during which he was pastor 
of this people, was yet sufficient to discover that 
great strength of mind, subtlety of reasoning, 
clear discernment of truth and candor of speech 
which marked his after life and gave him world- 
wide fame. 



30 C/iandlei' Robbms. 



His views concerning the obsen^ance of the 
Lord's Supper differed somewhat from those 
which prevailed in this church, and so fine was 
his sense of truthfulness and so alert his con- 
science, that he could not bring himself to its 
administration in accordance with the established 
traditions without a feeling of constraint, which, 
in a nature so sensitive, could not be continued ; 
he therefore asked of the society a dismissal 
from the pastoral office, which was granted, 
but with sincere regret on the part of his par- 
ishioners. 

Mr. Emerson was held in tender and affec- 
tionate regard by this people throughout his long 
life. It was his only pastorate, and terminated 
October 28, 1832. He died in Concord, Mass., 
April 27, 1882. 

Chandler Robbins was ordained pastor of 
the Second Church December 3, 1833. 

For many years prior to the event, a ten- 
dency on the part of many old North End fami- 
lies to seek new homes in the more Southerly 
portions of the city had prevailed, so that, at 



The JVezu Brick Demolished. 31 

this time, the homes of the congregation were 
about evenly divided between the two sections. 
The tide of removal continued, and, — as might 
be expe(5led, — produced a marked effedl on the 
future welfare of the society. 

The New Brick Church, which was built in 
1720-21, had now, in 1844, become old and di- 
lapidated. It was, in fad, "The oldest temple 
in this city." To repair and renovate it would 
involve great expense; to take it down and re- 
build was of questionable expediency, as many 
of the people desired a more Southerly location. 
After lengthy discussion and deliberation, it was 
decided to rebuild the church on the old site. 

The last religious services were held in the 
old church on March 11, 1S44, when Dr. Rob- 
bins preached impressive farewell sermons. (See 
his History of the Second Church, page 194.) 

During the time the work of rebuilding was 
in progress, the society "availed itself of an 
invitation to worship under the roof of the Old 
South. In courteous recognition of the hospi- 
tality extended to it at this time, it gave a silver 



32 Distress and Discourageinent . 

cup to the Old South, which appears upon its 
table every communion Sabbath, in testimony of 
the friendly relations which have subsisted be- 
tween these historic churches for more than two 
hundred years." (Histoiy of the Old South 
Church, by Hamilton Andrews Hill.) This sil- 
ver cup was one of the original vessels belong- 
ing to the communion plate of the Second 
Church. It bears this inscription : 

THE OLD SOUTH CHURCH 

IN MEMORY OF HER 

CHRISTIAN HOSPITALITY 

TO THE 

SECOND CHURCH. 
1844. 

The project of rebuilding on the original 
site, in Hanover Street, which had been strenu- 
ously opposed by many of the more substantial 
parishioners of the Second Church, caused their 
withdrawal, and during the process of rebuilding 
others followed, so that when the new church 
was completed and dedicated, in 1845, the par- 
ish found itself greatly reduced in numbers and 
deeply involved in debt. 



Union with the Church of Our Saviour. 33 

Now followed a season of great distress and 
discouragement to this people. "But the church 
was venerable with age ; rich in sacred recollec- 
tions ; renowned in the ecclesiastical annals of 
New England," and her sons and daughters, 
upon whom devolved the sacred duty of uphold- 
ing and perpetuating this ancient institution, al- 
though few in number and overburdened, proved 
themselves equal to the task. Many plans for 
the extinguishment of the debt were tried, but 
without success, and in 1849 ^^ church was 
sold to another religious society. 

Public worship on Sundays was maintained 
unbroken. For a time services were held in 
the hall of the Masonic Temple ; afterwards the 
society found a new home in Freeman Place 
Chapel, which was purchased in 1850, and here 
they continued to worship until their union with 
the Church of Our Saviour, about four years 
later. 

About the year 1845, a new religious soci- 
ety was organized in Boston, called the Church 
of Our Saviour, and under the leadership of 



34 Union with the Church of Our Saviour. 



Rev. Henry Waterston, built for themselves a 
fine church in Bedford Street. It v^as of pure 
gothic architedlure, designed by the late Hammat 
Billings, and w^as then considered the most beau- 
tiful church edifice in this city ; but its great cost 
proved a heavy burden to the society w^hich built 
it, and in time led them to seek relief therefrom 
in a union with the Second Church. 

In 1S54 these two societies were formally 
united in one, under the original corporate name 
of The Second Church in Boston, with all its 
ancient records, its library, communion plate, and 
other sacred relics. 

The chapel in Freeman Place was then sold 
and the church in Bedford Street purchased by 
the united society. Rev. Dr. Robbins being re- 
tained as its pastor, Mr. Waterston retiring. 

This union proved a most fortunate and 
happy one to both societies, for out of weakness 
came strength and prosperity which lasted many 
years. 

The encroachments of business, however, 
and the continued tide of removal of the people 



Sale of the Bedford Sti-eet Church. 35 

Southward, seemed to point to the early necessity 
of another change of location. At length a 
decision was reached, and in 1872 the land was 
sold for mercantile purposes and a new site for 
the church was purchased on the corner of 
Huntington Avenue and West Newton Street. 

Soon after these transactions the great fire 
of November 9, 1S72, occurred, which changed 
the. aspect of affairs greatly. The plans for 
building a new church on this spot were aban- 
doned, and a new site was sele6led and pur- 
chased on Copley Square, Boylston Street, in 
April, 1873. 

The corner stone of the present church was 
laid with appropriate ceremonies at 9.30 A. M., 
on Wednesday, September 17, 1873. 

The church edifice on Bedford Street, to 
which the people had become strongly attached, 
had been carefully taken down and the materials 
stored for their proper preservation. The stones 
composing its walls were used in building the 
present church and chapel edifices ; the stained 
glass windows, the pews, the j^^lpit and the 



36 



Church in Boy Is ton Street, 



organ were also replaced in the new building. 
Although of different form and arrangement, the 
same style of architecture prevails. 




SECOND CHURCH AND CHAPEL, BUILT IN 1874. 

After the demolition of the church in Bed- 
ford Street, which took place in 1S72, the con- 
gregation was cordially invited to worship with 
the King's ChajDel society, which invitation was 
accepted for that season. It afterwards wor- 



Present Church Dedicated. 37 



shiped in the Children's Mission hall until the 
completion of its new chapel in Boylston Street. 
This was dedicated on February 15, 1874. 

On the evening of September 17, 1874, the 
new church edifice was dedicated with appro- 
priate ceremonies, and the Second Church in 
Boston, in the two hundred and twenty-sixth 
year of its age, found itself again in a new 
home. Its faithful band of worshippers, although 
few in number, were yet so filled with the 
spirit of loyalty to this venerable church and a 
firm faith in its re-establishment upon its former 
plane of prosperity, usefulness and power, that 
no obstacle could turn them aside and no dis- 
couragement dishearten. 

The first Sunday service in the new church 
was conducted by the beloved pastor. Dr. 
Chandler Robbins, who had guided this flock 
through many trying periods of its history, and 
now, after a faithful ministry of forty-one years, 
he tendered his resignation December 4, 1874. 

Dr. Robbins's preaching was always earnest 
and persuasive; his aim, often expressed, being 



3S Chandler Robhlns. 



to "preach Christ and Him crucified." His 
religious views were conservative in a marked 
degree, and in the later years of his ministry 
he evinced a desire and inclination to hold this 
church aloof from close fellowship and affiliation 
with the Unitarian denomination, and from adlive 
participation in its religious work. His kindly 
and genial nature made him a welcome guest in 
every household, and in the chamber of sick- 
ness or at the bed-side of the dying his presence 
was a source of great comfort and consolation. 
He died at his summer home in Weston, Mass., 
September 11, 1SS2. 

On Sunday evening, December 31, 1883, as 
a tribute of respe(5l to the memory of Dr. Rob- 
bins, a special memorial sei'vice was held in the 
Second Church, of which he had been so long 
Pastor. 

Rev. Andrew P. Peabody, D.D., preached 
the sermon; Rev. J. H. Morrison, D. D., offered 
prayer. Both these venerable and eminent divines 
were life-long friends of Dr. Robbins. Rev. 
Edward A. Horton read selections from the 
Scriptures. 



Robert Laird Collier. 39 



'' Remember now thy Creator" was chanted 
by the choir, and the congregation sang the hymn 
written by Dr. Robbins beginning: 

"Lo! the day of rest declineth." 
Robert Laird Collier was installed as min- 
ister of the Second Church March 15, 1876. 

By him the Book of Worship, compiled by 
the Rev. Doctors Martineau and Sadler of Lon- 
don, England, was revised and its ritual and 
sacraments adapted to the uses of this congrega- 
tion. It was then republished by the society, 
together with a short colleaion of hymns, and 
has since been used in place of the former Ser- 
vice and Hymn Book. 

Through his instrumentality a large amount 
of indebtedness ($50,000), incurred in rebuild- 
ing the new church and chapel, was paid. 

He resigned in August, 1879, and returned 
to England where he had been preaching for 
some years prior to his settlement here. He 
afterwards returned to America and was settled 
in Kansas City. He died July 26, 1890, at 
''The Everglades," near Salisbury, Maryland. 



40 Edward Augustus Horton. 

Edward Augustus Horton was installed pas- 
tor of this church on May 24, 1880. 

The record of his ministry in this ancient 
pulpit is that of an able preacher, an earnest 
worker, a sincere and devoted pastor. Under 
his care this church grew strong and prosperous 
and became again, — as in the olden time, — one 
of the foremost in charity and good works. 

After a faithful and laborious service of 
nearly twelve years, with the knowledge on his 
part that his health demanded either a long rest 
or a radical change of mental occupation, he 
resigned his pastorate, to take effedl on February 
I, 1892. The necessity which induced him to 
take this step, caused great disappointment to 
many and sincere regret to all of his parishion- 
ers, who held, and still hold, him in affedlionate 
esteem. He immediately accepted the presi- 
dency of the Benevolent Fraternity of Churches, 
and also that of the Unitarian Sunday School 
Society, positions which served to divert his 
thoughts into new channels and to furnish fresh 
and at the same time congenial fields of labor. 
The love and esteem of this people follow him. 



The New Organ. 41 



Of Mr. Horton, now in the prime of life, 
as a minister and preacher of today, it may be 
said, that his style of preaching is unique. His 
subjects are always fresh and charged with vital 
interest. He is seldom doctrinal, never dog- 
matic, but always pra<?tical and helpful in an 
eminent degree by reason of his sincerity and 
earnestness. Although a pronounced Unitarian, 
he lays little stress on secft or dogma, but much 
on religion and a religious life; his aim being 
nobility of charadler and purity of life in the 
individual. All the important questions of the 
day are of interest to him, and the common needs 
of this community make demands on his time 
and strength to which he cheerfully responds. 

On December 26, 18S9, ^^ present organ 
was dedicated with appropriate religious services 
and music. On that occasion the hymn, written 
in 1822, by Rev. Henry Ware, Jr., for the 
dedication of the organ in the New Brick 
Church on Hanover Street was sung. The new 
organ was a gift to the Second Church from 
Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Denio, in memory of their 
daughter, Mrs. Florence A. Sawyer. 



42 Thomas Van Ness, 

Thomas Van Ness was called to the pulpit 
of the Second Church early in the year 1893, 
from his ministerial labors on the Pacific coast. 
His first sermon was preached on Easter Sun- 
day, which in that year occurred on April 2. 
His installation took place on the evening of 
Tuesday, April 4, 1893, with appropriate cere- 
monies, in the following order : 

Invocation, 

Rev. George Angier Gordon, Old South, 
Third Church, Organized 1669. 

Scripture Reading, 

Rev. Julian Clifford Jajnes, First Unita- 
rian Society of West Newton. 

Sermon, 

Rev. Francis Greenwood Peabody, D.D., 
Harvard University. 

Prayer of Installation, 

Rev. Edward Everett Hale, D.D., South 
Congregational Church, Boston. 

Right Hand of Fellowship, 

Rev. Grindall Reynolds, First Parish, 
Concord. 

Address to the People, 

Rev. Edward Augustus Horton, Boston. 



Thomas Van Ness. 43 

Concluding Prayer, 

Rev. Stopford Wentworth Brook, First 
Church, Boston. 

Benediction by the Pastor. 

An original hymn, written for the occasion 
by Rev. Minot J. Savage, was sung by the 
choir. 

Mr. Van Ness is a young man of marked 
ability and most fruitful promise, and with the 
earnest support of his loving and devoted fol- 
lowers, under the blessing of God, the future 
prosperty of this time-honored church seems 
now to be amply assured. 

In her ancient churches and other venerable 
institutions, Boston enjoys a noble heritage. Let 
her sons and daughters cherish, sustain and per- 
petuate them. 

'''■Children's children are the crown of old men ; 
and the glory of children are their fathers,'^ 



THE END. 



